Family And Friends Accept Paul DeWolf’s Medical Degree

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ANN ARBOR, Mich. (May 17, 2014)- Paul DeWolf’s name was announced on Friday at the University of Michigan Medical School graduation, but he could not accept his medical degree, his family and friends did.

According to the Detroit Free Press, Paul DeWolf’s younger sister Rebekah and Paul’s friend Joe Duratinsky walked across the stage and accepted Paul’s University of Michigan medical degree.

Paul was shot and killed in his fraternity house in Ann Arbor after a robbery gone wrong last July. Paul was also a 2nd lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force.

Courtesy: University of Michigan

He was also recognized as the John Patrick Niland Award winner. This award is given annually by the graduating class to the medical student who most exemplifies the important attributes of empathy, compassion, patience and a love of medicine. Beginning in 2015 the U of M Medical School Student Council will present the annual “Paul DeWolf Award” in his memory, to be given to a graduating senior medical student possessing the most unique and extraordinary qualities that DeWolf possessed.

A tree and plaque donated by the DeWolf family now stand in his memory, near the Medical Science I building in Ann Arbor.

On Sunday at 2 p.m. the Paul DeWolf Memorial Hero Run will take place the University of Michigan Nichols Arboretum. Organizers of the event hope to make this run an annual event.